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Sleep disorders

Insufficient sleep affects our daily functioning as well as our physical and mental health. While changes to our sleep patterns are a part of the normal aging process, research suggests that much of the sleep disturbances reported among older adults can be attributed to physical and mental illnesses and the medications used to treat them. Read more below.

Sleep and aging: How many zzz's are optimal to stay healthy?

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Getting a good night's sleep: Options for people with obstructive sleep apnea

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36 Show All 10Blog Posts 5Evidence Summaries 21Web Resource Ratings 3Patient Decision Aids

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Evidence Summary

Music-based strategies may improve sleep quality in older adults
Complementary Therapies in Medicine (2021)
Patient Decision Aid

Sleep Apnea: Should I Have Surgery?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps people with sleep apnea and other treatments have failed decide on whether or not to have surgery by comparing the benefits, risks, and side effects of both options.
Evidence Summary

Pharmacotherapies for sleep disturbances in dementia.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2016)
Web Resource Rating

Patient education: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (Beyond the Basics)
UpToDate - patient information

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) causes unexplained, extreme tiredness. There is no cure. Treatment to reduce symptoms includes antibiotics, cognitive behavioural therapy and exercise.
Web Resource Rating

Therapy for insomnia?
Evidence-based Living

Sleep therapy can help with chronic insomnia. This involves talking with a sleep psychologist to build healthy sleep habits and relaxation techniques.
Evidence Summary

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices and mandibular advancement devices improve depressive symptoms in people with obstructive sleep apnea
PLoS Med (2014)
Evidence Summary

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices and mandibular advancement devices improve sleep outcomes in people with obstructive sleep apnea
Ann Intern Med (2013)
Evidence Summary

Non-pharmacological interventions for sleep disturbances in people with dementia.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2023)
Patient Decision Aid

Sleep Apnea: Should I Have a Sleep Study?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps people with symptoms of sleep apnea decide on whether or not to have a sleep study by comparing the benefits, risks, and side effects of both options.
Web Resource Rating

Relaxation techniques and sleep hygiene for insomnia
Informed Health Online

Practice relaxation techniques and change sleeping habits to help get a better sleep. Create a fixed schedule, and specific bedtime habits. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, smoking, exercise and large meals right before bed.
Patient Decision Aid

Insomnia: Should I Take Sleeping Pills?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps people with insomnia decide on whether or not to take sleeping pills by comparing the benefits, risks, and side effects of both options.
Web Resource Rating

Bruxism (teeth grinding)
Mayo Clinic

Tooth sensitivity or a sore jaw can be symptoms of teeth grinding. Reduce stress, avoid caffeine and schedule regular dental appointments to help prevent teeth grinding.
Web Resource Rating

Male menopause: Myth or reality?
Mayo Clinic

Low testosterone causes changes in sex and sleep patterns. A healthy diet and exercise can help maintain your strength and energy. Speak to your doctor if you have concerns and be wary of herbal supplements.
Web Resource Rating

Sleep tips: 7 steps to better sleep
Mayo Clinic

A good night's rest leads to better health. Set a sleep schedule, exercise more, limit napping and create a restful sleep environment to improve your sleep. Speak with your doctor if you have trouble sleeping on a regular basis.
Web Resource Rating

Chronic fatigue syndrome
Mayo Clinic

Chronic fatigue syndrome can be difficult to diagnose. Symptoms include tiredness, memory loss, unexplained muscle pain and a sore throat. Medications such as antidepressants and sleeping pills may relieve symptoms. Graded exercise and psychological counselling may also help.
Web Resource Rating

Dementia and Sleep: Tips for Helping Your Loved One With Dementia Sleep Better
A Place For Mom

People with dementia often have changes in their sleep patterns or problems sleeping. Set a stable routine, exercise and spend more time in outdoor light to improve sleep.
Web Resource Rating

Tiredness (fatigue)
Patient.co.uk

Try to find the source of your tiredness so you can work to address it. Sources of tiredness may include stress, medication, and medical conditions. Talk to your doctor if you are chronically tired and don’t know why.
Web Resource Rating

The insomnia guide
SaveYourself.ca

If you suffer from insomnia, behavioural conditioning techniques (i.e. training yourself to sleep) may help. Details in this resource about causes of insomnia and tips to manage it.
Web Resource Rating

Napping: Do's and don'ts for healthy adults
Mayo Clinic

Napping can improve fatigue, relaxation, your mood and your performance. Naps may affect nighttime sleep for some people. A sudden need for more sleep during the day could indicate a health problem.
Web Resource Rating

Bedsores (pressure ulcers)
Mayo Clinic

Bedsores are caused by pressure on one part of the skin for too long. Change position frequently if confined to bed or a wheelchair and use supportive mattresses or cushions. Check, protect and clean skin regularly.
Web Resource Rating

Sleep apnea
Mayo Clinic

Sleep apnea causes your breathing to start and stop during sleep. Losing weight and quitting smoking help mild cases; airway pressure devices are available for more severe cases. More about symptoms, tests, treatments and questions to ask your doctor in this resource.
Web Resource Rating

What can help when trying to stop taking sleeping pills and sedatives?
Informed Health Online

Sleeping pills can be addictive. Don’t stop taking your sleeping pills and sedatives suddenly. Gradually reduce the dose with help and guidance from your doctor. Psychological support can also help.
Web Resource Rating

Obesity: Sleep
Harvard School of Public Health

Having a good night's sleep is important for good health and may also be important for maintaining a healthy weight. Lack of sleep may lead to increased hunger and unhealthy diets, lower physical activity and lower body temperature.
Web Resource Rating

Insomnia
Informed Health Online

Talk to your doctor to find out what is causing your insomnia. Try home remedies such as warm milk before bed, exercise, relaxation techniques and good sleep hygiene habits, such as only going to bed when you're tired.
Web Resource Rating

Is it true that sleep deprivation can cause high blood pressure?
Mayo Clinic

You could be at a greater risk of high blood pressure if you sleep less than six hours per night. Try to get at least seven hours per night, as this may help prevent or treat high blood pressure. Talk to your doctor about ways to sleep better.
Web Resource Rating

Aging well with post-polio syndrome: Don't take fatigue lying down
Healthy Aging & Physical Disability (RRTC)

Assistive devices, tailored gentle exercise programs and managing activity levels can help people with post-polio syndrome or a disability ease fatigue or tiredness.
Blog Post

New year, new me? Strategies to help achieve your New Year’s resolutions!

Research points to strategies that can help you quit smoking, exercise more, achieve a healthy weight, and improve your sleep.
Blog Post

Bullying between residents in nursing homes: Be part of the solution, not the problem

As society pays increasing attention to addressing bullying in schools and workplaces, bullying among seniors remains a taboo and neglected issue. Did you know that recent studies show that about 1 in 5 seniors are bullied?
Blog Post

Non-drug options for dementia-related sleep problems

Take a look at what the evidence says about non-drug options for dementia-related sleep problems.
Blog Post

“Sweet dreams are made of these?” 3 strategies that aim to improve sleep

Sleep and sleep quality play an important role in keeping us healthy. There are multiple strategies that aim to help us sleep longer or better; research sheds light on which ones are effective and which ones we may want to pass on.
Blog Post

Turning on the tunes: 3 evidence-based benefits of music

Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Ti, Do! Research lends support to the use of music for improving our mental and physical health.
Blog Post

Looking to catch some quality zzz’s? Let’s talk music!

They say if "you snooze, you lose”. But getting enough sleep, as well as good quality sleep, is important for our mental health, cognitive health, and physical health. Some evidence suggests that music may be a promising non-drug-based strategy for improving sleep quality in older adults.
Blog Post

When "good nights" are rare: Do sleeping pills help people with dementia?

Do sleep aid medications help to improve sleep for people with dementia?
Blog Post

Getting a good night's sleep: Options for people with obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common condition that affects breathing during sleep. Treatments such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and dental devices can help.
Blog Post

A pain in the neck! Does a specialized pillow really help?

Neck pain is a common and disabling health problem that can affect your daily function including sleep. Specialized pillows have been used to help but the recent evidence is limited.
Blog Post

Sleep and aging: How many zzz's are optimal to stay healthy?

Many are concerned about how much sleep is 'normal' and how much we need for successful aging. Although there is no simple answer, the scientific evidence shows that sleep duration has important links to health.

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